Best things to do in Whitby

Whitby's Absolute Essentials

Whitby’s heritage centers on the dramatic 7th-century ruins of Whitby Abbey and the adjacent St Mary’s Church, accessible via the historic 199 Steps. The town’s maritime history is preserved at the Captain Cook Memorial Museum, housed in the mariner’s former residence, and commemorated by the Whale Bone Arch on West Cliff. The Swing Bridge spans the River Esk, linking the narrow medieval streets of the East Cliff with the later harbor developments.

Chris Kirk / CC BY 2.0

Whitby Abbey

Whitby Abbey was a 7th-century Christian monastery that later became a Benedictine abbey.

Ray / CC-BY-SA

199 Steps

Stone stairs connecting the harbor to Whitby Abbey and St Mary’s Church. Historically used by pallbearers and churchgoers, the climb provides panoramic views over the town and the North Sea.

Captain Cook Memorial Museum

Housed in the 17th-century home where James Cook lived as an apprentice. The collection includes original maps, manuscripts, and ethnographic items from his Pacific voyages of discovery.

Elizabeth MacLeod / CC-BY-SA

St Mary's

The Church of Saint Mary is an Anglican parish church serving the town of Whitby in North Yorkshire England.

Whale Bone Arch

A replica arch made from bowhead whale jawbones, standing on West Cliff. It serves as a monument to the town's historic whaling industry and frames the view of Whitby Abbey across the harbor.

Swing Bridge

Whitby Swing Bridge is a pedestrian and road bridge over the River Esk in Whitby, North Yorkshire, England.